Chapter 103 Not in Control of One's Own Fate
A warm breeze, carrying the fragrance of roses, drifted along the paths of the Imperial Garden.
Not long after Chu Huaiyu left, Lu Zhaoxue suddenly heard a series of light footsteps behind her, accompanied by a palace maid's soft prompting.
Lu Zhaoxue turned around subconsciously.
The person who arrived was none other than Liu Ruohua.
When they met in the palace in the past, Liu Ruohua was of the same rank as her, and the two only needed to exchange slight formalities.
But times have changed. She has been officially named Empress by imperial decree and will soon be adorned in a phoenix coronet and wedding gown. The two women's statuses are now worlds apart.
Liu Ruohua, dressed in a royal blue palace gown, stopped in front of Lu Zhaoxue.
A complex emotion flashed across her eyes, then she bowed to Lu Zhaoxue and said in a calm voice, "Your Majesty, I pay my respects."
"No need for formalities." Lu Zhaoxue quickly stepped forward and reached out to help her.
But as soon as his fingertips touched Liu Ruohua's sleeve, she subtly withdrew.
As Liu Ruohua withdrew her hand, she also subconsciously took half a step back, creating a clear distance between herself and Lu Zhaoxue.
It was as if she possessed some kind of unapproachable sharpness.
Liu Ruohua slowly straightened up, a very faint smile curving her lips.
Her tone carried an ambiguous undertone, a mixture of sarcasm and disdain.
"Congratulations, Your Majesty, on your ascension to the position of Empress. From now on, you will be the mother of the nation. This is truly an immense blessing."
But Liu Ruohua's eyes held no genuine congratulations; instead, they were filled with a cold scrutiny that pierced Lu Zhaoxue's heart like silver needles.
Lu Zhaoxue looked at her, her mind clear as a mirror.
From the moment she married Chu Siheng, an insurmountable chasm was destined to separate her from Liu Ruohua.
She had long known of Liu Ruohua's feelings for Chu Siheng, and she had already become the sinner who hurt Chu Siheng in Liu Ruohua's eyes.
Now that she has married another man and become Chu Huaiyu's empress, Liu Ruohua must have already mocked her a thousand times over.
She didn't want to argue with Liu Ruohua, but she had no way to defend herself, so she could only turn around in silence, wanting to escape this awkward confrontation.
But as soon as she took a step, Liu Ruohua's icy voice came from behind her, each word clear and distinct: "Lu Zhaoxue, do you still like Chu Huaiyu?"
Lu Zhaoxue suddenly stopped in her tracks. She slowly turned around and looked at Liu Ruohua, her whole being exuding a stubborn and obstinate aura.
"How can you face Siheng?"
Liu Ruohua's voice suddenly rose, her cold sarcasm like a sharp knife piercing straight into Lu Zhaoxue's heart.
"He sacrificed so much for you, he was willing to give up the throne that was within his grasp, but in the end, you became someone else's empress!"
Lu Zhaoxue felt her mind go blank, a violent dizziness struck her, her body swayed uncontrollably, and her face turned deathly pale.
Fortunately, the palace maid Haitang was quick-witted and stepped forward to steady her arm.
He called out softly, "Your Majesty the Empress! Are you alright?"
Lu Zhaoxue leaned against Haitang to barely steady herself.
Her voice was choked with barely suppressed sobs, and her eyes were slightly red: "Ruohua, I... I had no choice in the matter."
These few words, so light and airy, seemed so pale and powerless in the face of Liu Ruohua's questioning.
Liu Ruohua sneered, her laughter filled with disdain and disappointment.
She abruptly flicked her sleeve, turned around, and strode away without looking back, leaving behind only a solitary and aloof figure.
Lu Zhaoxue stared in the direction where she disappeared, feeling as if something was blocking her heart, causing waves of pain.
No one will believe her, and no one will understand her.
They only see her current enduring favor and glory, but they don't see the helplessness she faces behind the scenes.
You can't see her tossing and turning in her sleep at midnight.
If she had a choice, why would she have chosen to come to this point?
How could she possibly let Chu Siheng down, walking on thin ice in this deep palace?
Lu Zhaoxue took a deep breath, suppressing the bitterness and grievance in her heart, and whispered to Haitang, "Let's go back."
Her voice carried a barely perceptible weariness, and she seemed completely lost; the glimmer of light in her eyes had dimmed.
When we returned to Chengqian Palace, the setting sun outside the palace gates had already dipped westward, turning the palace walls a warm orange hue.
Lu Zhaoxue had just sat down on the soft couch to rest for a moment when a palace maid came to report that Eunuch Wei had come to give a report on His Majesty's orders.
Eunuch Wei bowed and entered the hall, his expression showing a hint of awkwardness.
He stammered, "Your Majesty, His Majesty said... he is busy with state affairs today, so he will stay overnight in the Imperial Study and will not come over for the time being. Please rest well."
Lu Zhaoxue paused, holding her teacup, looked up at Eunuch Wei, and replied softly, "Hmm."
Eunuch Wei's eyes flickered, and he seemed a little uneasy.
"Well... Your Majesty, this servant will take his leave now."
Seeing Wei Gonggong's appearance, Lu Zhaoxue understood without even thinking.
Two new concubines had just entered the palace a few days ago, and the atmosphere was still fresh and lively.
Chu Huaiyu didn't come tonight; he must have gone to one of the concubines' palaces for some intimate time.
A faint hint of disdain curled at the corner of her lips, her eyes remaining largely unmoved.
With Chu Huaiyu not coming, she was actually happy to have some peace and quiet.
There's no need to force a smile or deliberately flatter; instead, it brings peace and quiet.
Lu Zhaoxue put down her teacup, stood up and said to the palace maid Haitang beside her, "Come with me to see Zhaoxing."
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